The road stretched ahead, flanked by towering trees that wove a thick canopy overhead, blotting out the sky. Perched on Henry’s shoulders, Maya let out her third yawn since we set off, blinking sluggishly as she rubbed at her eyes. She pointed toward one of the birds in the trees.

  “What’s that one?”

  I flicked my gaze toward it, pausing at the near-perfect replica of a raven. Since arriving in Nexus, I’d seen dozens of creatures that resembled those from Earth—but never this closely. The bird’s gaze slid over the group before settling on me, its stare too sharp, too knowing. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I scowled.

  “Not a clue…”

  Henry inched away from it, clearly just as uneasy. “You’ll have to ask Nature when we arrive, Sweetling.”

  Falling back in line with Time while Eleanor and Dominicus talked amongst themselves, I kept my voice low. “Is it just me, or does that bird feel… off?”

  Time frowned, considering it for a long moment. “I feel it too. Nature’s creatures are intelligent, but this one has an uncanny look to it. Almost as if…”

  His words trailed off, his glare hardening as his hand subtly came to rest on my shoulder.

  “As if what?” I pressed.

  He didn’t take his eyes off it, a new suspicion darkening his face as he subtly rested a hand on my shoulder. “Nothing, it is probably nothing.”

  Despite his vocal response, his mental one dripped with wariness.

  That bird may be a mortal capable of changing shape.

  Alarm bells rang at the back of my mind, and I forced myself to look forward, careful not to tip off our potential stalker.

  People can do that? My thoughts flashed to Earth’s depictions of druids, and I realized I hadn’t fully considered just how deep Nexus’s magic ran. Beastfolk existed, so shapeshifting wasn’t exactly a stretch.

  Yes, though only a select few can use such magic. Transformation is not in any spell tomes that I am aware of.

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  That raised even more questions. So are they a Chosen, or is this some kind of special ability?

  There was still so much I didn’t know about Nexus, and the urge to sit down and actually read the books I’d taken from Silas’s library gnawed at me. So far, we’d focused on sorting through them for the Tomes of Mana, but I ached to crack one open and learn.

  Time’s gaze slid thoughtfully back to the road. The only Chosens who should have such power belong to Nature, Life, or Instinct. If it were Life’s Chosen, their animal form would be less… ominous. A special ability is more likely, though they are rare.

  At least special abilities were limited to one per person. If turning into a raven was theirs, it meant we wouldn’t have to worry about any extra nasty surprises should they decide to strike.

  Indeed, Time confirmed. Stay on your guard. Your beastfolk friends may be able to hear a whispered warning, but do not raise your voice. I do not want our follower realizing we are aware of them.

  I dipped my head the slightest bit, masking it as a nod. You sound sure it’s not just a regular bird now.

  Yes. And when we turn that corner ahead, I will know without a doubt.

  Barely three yards away, the path curved out of sight. Tension coiled in my gut as we walked on. The moment the raven disappeared from view, the soft flutter of wings sounded from behind us.

  I grimaced, meeting Time’s knowing look. I’d say you’re right. That, or it’s someone’s minion. Whether it was a shapeshifter or a trained bird under orders, the fact remained—we were being watched.

  Time tipped his head ever so slightly. There is a strange mana and presence around it. I do not believe it is an ordinary beast, but we cannot rule anything out yet.

  Keeping my gaze ahead, I whispered just loud enough for Dominicus to hear, “We’re being followed.”

  His shoulders tensed for the briefest second before he forced them to relax, his hand casually resting on his sword hilt. Eleanor caught the movement and, without a word, mirrored him, her eyes sharpening as she scanned the area.

  Henry noticed the shift but didn’t understand the reason for it. Gently, he lifted Maya from his shoulders and set her on the ground beside him.

  “How about a stretch, Sweetling? Just remember to stay close,” he said, his tone carrying an edge of steel.

  Maya nodded, gripping his leg even as she pointed to something in the bushes. “Adan, there’s something shiny over there. What is it?”

  I followed her gesture, squinting at the shadows where a faint outline barely took shape. Silence fell over the group.

  And that stillness was the only reason I heard it.

  The subtle creak of a bowstring being drawn back.

  And it wasn’t coming from the bush.